Scagie revised

"What am I doing here?" Scagie sighed to herself. “I have to go out there. It’s why I came to the Spring Ball.” The Spring Ball was one of the Equinox Balls held two times a year and it was supposed to be open to all of Fairy kind. “I just wish someone else had came with me.” Scagie remembered the not fight with her brothers and sisters when she told them her plan.

“I’m going to go the the Spring Ball.” Scagie had announced to her brothers and sisters one afternoon. She was hoping that Knuckles her oldest brother would swing at her in approval, maybe Chewie, the oldest girl, would chase Scagie around, arms flailing, teeth gnashing.
“You go to the Spring..” Chewie’s eyes flared. Scagie was pleased, she only got eyes flaring when she did something to be jealous of. “You go to the Spring ..” everyone joined in the second time. They laughed so hard at her they didn't even try to hit her or chase her. “You go ... alone.”
The memory still burned at her. “I hate them, I will go to the Ball. I will.” Scagie had said, stomping out of her cave. “I will need a dress” Scagie looked around the different places that human clothes washed up in the Bog, not finding anything she then looked in all the nooks and crannies of the cave, Scagie couldn’t find anything.

Desperately looking at some of the magazines her Maw kept “I can glamour it!” Scagie exclaimed excitedly, like her own godmother. Looking at one of the pictures, Scagie’s shift changed color to a deep blue but the mud on it dried and started to sparkle. “I won’t give up, I’ll show them.”

After reading the announcement for the hundredth time, the little orc just mashed more mud on herself and used a stick to twist up her knotted hair and made her way to the Ball. “This should do. I’m an orc, and orc’s are invited we’re everybody else too.” Now that she was dressed for it Scagie thought she knew why everyone laughed, the Fall Ball, was a command from the Winter Court, but the Spring Ball, was pure torture, and not the fun kind. Gathering courage, Scagie read the announcement one more time.

“The Kings and Queen of Fairie announce the Spring

Equinox Ball. The King and Queen of the coming Summer

welcome all to the ball, and especially welcome all

those in Fairie that owe allegiance to the Summer Throne.

The Throne will make time for all those in attendance

that hail position or oath with the Kings and Queens

of Summer or Winter.

As befitting all those residence of Fairie,

come to the Spring Ball. Held opposite the Fall Ball,

to welcome the coming of the Summer Throne,

and the alleviation of the Winter Throne.”

Sure, everyone was invited, and in the fine print for both balls was an oath that no one would be harmed or held to hasty oaths.

“Gawd, I hate how cold the Fall Ball is.” Ice would cover everything, and the music came from fingers so stiff the musicians might as well be corpses. Being Winter Fae, everyone in the Bog had to be there. The Winter King and Queen would never allow one of their balls to be less than packed. Ever since she could recall Maw and Paw, her brothers and sisters would grab the biggest clubs they could and wandered on the frozen dance floor. Then usually as the important Fae started to say their hello’s to the King and Queen, Scagie along with her brothers and sisters would be allowed to leave.

“Tonight’s different! Tonight I go and dance at the Spring Ball.” Scagie looked at herself in the mirror, the mud and twigs in her hair, “maybe even fall in love.” Scagie wasn't so sure of the last part, what did being punched and kicked have to do with a ball that was supposed to be about dancing. “Summer Court is supposed to be very very weird, they do everything with roses.” even the thought of it made Scagie wrinkle up her nose. So, instead of adding a rose to her mud and branch hair, she had added a blue lily, and hoped that the Spring court wouldn't laugh at her. “Pretty!” with that, Scagie left for the Ball.